Angelou sees hope after attacks

ATLANTA -- From her New York apartment, Maya Angelou saw smoke billowing from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Now, she says hope has replaced the horror of that sight.

"I can see in the acorn the oak tree," Angelou said. "I see the growth, the rebuilding, the restoring. I see that is the American psyche.

"There is so much we can draw understanding from. One of the lessons is the development of courage. Because without courage, you can't practice any of the other virtues consistently."

The 73-year-old poet was in Atlanta on Sunday to campaign for mayoral candidate Shirley Franklin.

Actress Cicely Tyson, also a New Yorker, was at the event and said she had an office in one of the towers. When she heard of the plane crashes, she frantically called her staffers but got only an answering machine.

"Fortunately, we were on the 13th floor, so everyone got out safely," Tyson said.

Singer denies charges

LONDON -- Jay Kay, the lead singer of Jamiroquai, denied charges on Monday of common assault and criminal damage from a fight with a photographer.

The 31-year-old is accused of smashing camera equipment valued at $379 belonging to Dennis Gill, then assaulting the photographer.

The confrontation happened April 14 outside the Attica nightclub in London.

Kay, who wore a dark blue suit and a black hat during his brief appearance in Bow Street Magistrates Court, spoke only to confirm his name and to plead not guilty to the charges. He made no comment after leaving court.

Turner visits movie setting

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Ted Turner visited this western Maryland city to watch filming of the Civil War-era film "Gods and Generals," a $51 million production that his Ted Turner Pictures is financing.

Dressed in jeans, a rimmed hat and a tan jacket, the CNN founder arrived Sunday afternoon and ate lunch with the cast and crew.

Robert Duvall, who plays Gen. Robert E. Lee, also stopped by to watch filming.

Ron Maxwell wrote and is directing the movie, which is a prequel to his 1993 epic "Gettysburg." It will depict four clashes between the North and the South, including the Battle of Antietam, fought near Hagerstown in September 1862.

The film is based on Jeff Shaara's historical novel of the same name. It also will feature Virginia battles at Manassas, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, publicist Vic Heutschy said.